By Nathaniel Zaccheaus and Seyi Odewale
The call by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, for the United Nations and international accountability bodies to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has drawn sharp criticism from Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, who described the move as unnecessary, misleading and potentially divisive.
The criticism came despite the successful rescue of the 39 pupils and seven teachers after 56 days in captivity through a joint military, police and intelligence-led operation that led to the arrest of eight suspects and the neutralisation of others. The rescue operation, however, claimed the lives of three security personnel and left another injured.
Speaking after receiving the rescued victims in Ibadan on Monday, Makinde argued that the circumstances surrounding the abduction were “sufficiently grave and unusual” to warrant scrutiny beyond Nigeria’s domestic institutions.
The governor maintained that an international probe would help establish the full facts of the incident, determine whether there were institutional failures, negligence or collusion and strengthen public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
“This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear,” Makinde said.
Makinde further argued that international scrutiny was not intended to undermine Nigeria’s institutions but to ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of the 56-day hostage ordeal.
“Such scrutiny is not intended to undermine our institutions; rather, it is intended to reinforce confidence that the truth will be established and that every person found to bear responsibility, regardless of office, influence, or affiliation, will be held accountable,” he added.
However, the proposal immediately ran into opposition on the Senate floor on Tuesday during deliberations on the rescue operation and the broader security situation in the country.
Former Edo State governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, faulted the governor’s position, warning that inviting external bodies into what he described as a domestic security matter risked undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty and diminishing the sacrifices made by local security agencies.
“This is a time for us to unite, commend the achievements recorded and encourage our security agencies to sustain their efforts until peace and security are restored across the country,” Oshiomhole said.
The former Nigeria Labour Congress president was more direct in his criticism outside the chamber, describing the governor’s demand as politically motivated.
“This is mischievous and divisive politics at a time when the country should be rallying behind the security agencies and those who paid the ultimate price to rescue those children.”
The Senate had earlier adopted a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies for the successful rescue operation while urging the government to intensify military pressure on terrorists, kidnappers and bandits across the country.
Lawmakers also paid tribute to Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, Private Silas Musa and Sergeant Abena John Jerome, who lost their lives during the operation, and urged authorities to settle the entitlements of their families promptly.
Joining the criticism, Nigeria’s envoy to the UN, Ibrahim, insisted that the global body lacks the mandate to investigate domestic criminal incidents within sovereign member states.
“The United Nations does not intervene in the internal affairs of sovereign member states.”
Ibrahim maintained that matters relating to internal security remain the responsibility of national governments and their institutions except in exceptional circumstances involving international conflicts or specific mandates of the UN Security Council.
“The United Nations is not empowered to investigate domestic security incidents such as the recent abduction in Oyo State.”
The former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs urged the Oyo State Government to focus on strengthening preventive security measures and supporting victims of the attack rather than seeking international intervention.
He also called on the state government to provide adequate support to affected families and improve protection around schools and vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Senate used the occasion of the Oriire rescue to renew calls for a sustained and intensified military offensive against terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements operating across the country.
The upper chamber unanimously adopted a motion sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, urging the Federal Government to equip the Armed Forces and other security agencies with modern weapons, advanced surveillance technology, improved intelligence-gathering capabilities and enhanced logistics support.
The lawmakers also stressed the need for greater investment in the welfare, training, and operational capacity of military personnel and other security operatives, arguing that the fight against insecurity cannot be won without adequately supporting those on the front lines.
The Senate further called for the prompt payment of death benefits, insurance claims, pensions and other statutory entitlements to families of security personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
While commending President Bola Tinubu, the military and intelligence agencies for the successful rescue operation, lawmakers warned against mistaking isolated victories for the end of the country’s security challenges.
Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central) noted that many victims remained in captivity across parts of the North-East and North-West despite recent operational successes.
“Several children are still being held captive in parts of Borno and Yobe states.”
Lawmakers also urged authorities to provide adequate medical care and promptly settle all entitlements due to Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion, who sustained injuries during the operation.
On her part, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central) called for comprehensive rehabilitation support for the rescued victims.
“Comprehensive psychological support, trauma counselling and rehabilitation” are necessary to aid their recovery from the ordeal.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin assured that the National Assembly would continue to support measures to strengthen the country’s security architecture and restore lasting peace across Nigeria.
